Yorkshire Post

Strictly dancer is dreaming of acting in a Hollywood film

- STRICTLY COME Dancing

star Aljaz Skorjanec said he has been having acting lessons and auditionin­g for roles, with a big dream of going to Hollywood.

The Slovenian dancer and choreograp­her, 32, announced in March that he was departing after nine years on the BBC flagship show.

He is married to fellow dancer Janette Manrara, 38, and news of his exit came less than a year after she stepped down from the show to become the co-host of spin-off It Takes Two.

Skorjanec said: “Being a couple on Strictly gave us an edge and I feel like it can be exactly the same when it comes to, potentiall­y, one day being on a different kind of TV programme together.

“I’ve had an incredible

nine years on Strictly and have felt so lucky to be there, but it felt like the right time to take a risk and open myself up to new challenges.

“I want to try other things like film, TV and radio while I’m still young enough and my body is 100 per cent capable. I’m just a fan of the craft and am trying to get my foot in the door.

“Do I want to go to Hollywood? Of course! If I didn’t dream big I would never have ended up on Strictly.”

Manrara added: “I already imagine him as a Hollywood leading man, he definitely has what it takes and he has always been my Prince Charming.”

In his Strictly Come Dancing debut series, Skorjanec clinched the prize with Liverpudli­an model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy during the first all-female final on the show.

In 2017, he reached the final with partner Gemma Atkinson but missed out to winners Joe McFadden and Katya Jones.

 ?? ?? ALJAZ SKORJANEC: ‘I am trying to get my foot in the door,’ he said of acting.
ALJAZ SKORJANEC: ‘I am trying to get my foot in the door,’ he said of acting.

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